Quincy suspect pledges love for disgraced drug lab chemist

A career criminal from Quincy who was released from prison earlier this year as a result of the state’s drug lab scandal pledged his love for the disgraced chemist behind the scandal during his most recent arrest, police said.

By Patrick Ronan

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Patrick Ronan

Posted Sep. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 18, 2013 at 6:18 PM

By Patrick Ronan

Posted Sep. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 18, 2013 at 6:18 PM

QUINCY

» Social News

A career criminal from Quincy who was released from prison earlier this year as a result of the state’s drug lab scandal pledged his love for the disgraced chemist behind the scandal during his most recent arrest, police said.

Jamell T. Spurill, 31, was arrested Sunday in Boston on charges of receiving stolen property over $250, unlawful possession of a firearm as a subsequent offense, and unlawful possession of ammunition as a subsequent offense.

Spurill, being held on $50,000 bail, was arrested along with Shaki Muhammed, 27, of Norwood after Boston Police pulled over Muhammed’s car. Muhammed, held on $15,000 bail, is charged with receiving stolen property over $250, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, driving with a suspended license and driving without an inspection sticker.

Spurill, charged as a Level III armed career criminal because of his record, was convicted in 2011 of trafficking cocaine, possession of a Class C drug and violating drug laws in a school zone. But his three-year sentence was dismissed earlier this year because some of his case’s evidence was handled by Annie Dookhan, the former Department of Public Health chemist indicted for malfeasance at a state drug-testing facility.

Spurill shared his affinity for Dookhan after officers read him his Miranda rights and put him in the back seat of their cruiser Sunday, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.

“I just got out thanks to Annie Dookhan. I love that lady,” Spurill said, according to the district attorney’s office said.

Spurill’s other previous convictions include possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance in 2010; unlawful possession of sawed-off shotgun, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition in 2008; assault and battery in 2003, 2005, and 2006; and assault in 2000.